Liverpool have officially announced that they have signed 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from Genk, but will spend the season on loan at Genk.
Widespread reports indicated that the young goalkeeper will cost the Reds around €35m (£30m), and he has agreed a six-year contract with Liverpool, minus the one year he will spend on loan in the Belgian Pro League.
We have agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from KRC Genk ?
The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Reds and will now return to Genk for the duration of the 2026-27 season ? pic.twitter.com/9p5z60gE6w
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 1, 2026
The £30m fee Liverpool have paid sounds like a lot, but Ben Jacobs reports that an interesting fee structure, will mitigate a lot of the supposed value here.
He reports: “Liverpool confirm Lucca Brughmans jas joined from Genk. He will remain at Genk for this season. £30m package but add-on heavy. The fixed fee is nominal.”
https://x.com/TheAnfieldWrap/status/2094848757409927372?s=20
Dominic King reports that despite suggestions that Giorgi Mamardashvili would be sold this week, the signing of Brughmans is a part of Liverpool’s long-term planning for a future without Alisson Becker.
He said: “Liverpool have confirmed the £30m deal for Lucca Brughmans; he’s signed a six-year contract and will stay with Genk until joining next summer. Been a big 12 months, with £33m also spent on Giorgi Mamardashvili. Two for the price of one Alisson Becker, planning for the future.”
The teenager, despite having a couple of years in which to grow, already stands at 6 ft 7, and is unsurprisingly well known for commanding his box.
More of a surprise, however, is his reputation for being a great ball-playing goalkeeper, which is the opposite of Mamardashvili, who has been criticised for his struggles in that department.
Liverpool beat Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to his signature, although the Reds were always the most advanced in their interest, however, it goes to show how highly-rated Brughmans is.
While the transfer agreement with Genk included a season-long loan in Belgium, Liverpool retain an option in the contract to bring him to Anfield – six months early – if they like – but it does not seem likely they will excercise this option.
Belgian football expert Bart Tamsyn told Transfermarkt: “His profile is reminiscent of goalkeepers who control matches through their physical presence, whilst at the same time being comfortable enough on the ball to fit into a build-up-oriented team.
“With his height and reach, he is particularly strong in the air. He comes out confidently and clears a lot of crosses, something that is also reflected in his statistics.”